The Council of Indigenous Peoples convened a symposium on the "Execution Results of the Accelerated Plan for Increasing and Rezoning Indigenous Reserved Lands in Taitung County" today (September 15) at the Indigenous Museum in Chenggong Township, Taitung. Legislators, relevant agencies, and local indigenous people were invited to attend. Minister Icyang Parod led the symposium, providing an overview of the concrete achievements of the accelerated plan for increasing and rezoning indigenous reserved lands since June 2022, and sought local opinions as references for future governance.

Minister Icyang Parod stated that since the initiation meeting for the acceleration plan held by the Taitung County Government in June 2022 more than 1,400 land ownerships have been assisted, with an additional 275 plots of indigenous reserved lands increased and rezoned. The effectiveness of the accelerated plan is gratifying for indigenous people, and Minister Icyang Parod expressed gratitude to the National Property Administration, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, the Taitung County Government, the Chenggong Township Office, the Changbin Township Office, the Donghe Township Office, and the Chenggong Land Office for their cooperation and various measures in the acceleration plan. The Council of Indigenous Peoples established a cross-departmental special project supervisory meeting during the promotion process, effectively accelerating horizontal communication between various agencies and resolving previous issues and restrictions in the handling of increased and rezoned indigenous reserved lands regarding partitioned surveying and land registration execution. In addition, the Council of Indigenous Peoples completed the amendment to Article 37 of the Slopeland Conservation and Utilization Act in 2019, eliminating the five-year waiting period – a key factor in enabling indigenous people to quickly reclaim land and speeding up the efficiency of land return by the government.

Minister Icyang Parod further explained that since the implementation of the policy to increase and rezone indigenous reserved lands in 1990, the Council of Indigenous Peoples has completed increased and rezoned indigenous reserved lands totaling 27,400 hectares. In Taitung County alone, over 8,700 hectares have been completed. The Council is currently formulating the acceleration plan for increasing and rezoning indigenous reserved lands for 2024 to continue to assist indigenous people in reclaiming land rights.